C.A. Verstraete's Blog, page 39
October 2, 2017
The Kings in Milwaukee! #horror #writing
By Christine Verstraete
It was a banner night Saturday as the King of Horror, Stephen King, and his son, Owen King, visited Milwaukee on one of the legs of a national tour for their jointly written, newly released book, Sleeping Beauties .
(Photo: Justin Hamelin)A group of us were on hand, albeit in different rows and sections, for the amazing event, which featured King and his son talking about their collaboration and other related topics. Attending were: Rondo Award-winner Justin Hamelin, author of (THICKER THAN BLOOD), Stephen King enthusiast Will Reckling and author Christian A. Larsen ( THE BLACKENING OF FLESH ) Check out his blog post on the event. I drove in with fellow author Dawn Napier ( STAR PACK ), and also spotted W.D. Gagliani ( WOLF’S BLIND ), and David Benton, author of the upcoming novel, FAUNA. Mary McDonald, author of (INFECTION) also was up in the balcony.
In one word: wow. It wasn't a long event, the two Kings read an excerpt each, talked, and answered a few questions for just over an hour. But it was enough. The one drawback was that the theater was kept totally dark - I mean pitch black - with only the stage lit. Makes note-taking near impossible. But years of taking notes and interviewing came into good practice. Pretty proud of myself that I was able to write fairly legibly and keep the lines spaced - without seeing what I was writing!
** NOTE: I'm writing this in two parts. Come back tomorrow for part two - for both men's thoughts and advice on writing.
Following are some of the memorable quotes from the evening (at least to me). A warning: anyone who follows King knows he is very opinionated politically and the two men also use f-bombs quite liberally.
This is a huge 700+ word book. The premise of Sleeping Beauties is that women all over the world are disappearing, going to sleep, shrouded in a cocoon.
(Photo: Dawn Napier)Comments on the book:
Stephen King: What kind of world is it "when a sex that produced Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, a sex that cannot even fold a shirt, is left in charge..."
SK: "We got a ton of wonderful reviews and some sh** reviews..." In one commentary, someone said. "one surprise is one character is a talking fox. As far as we're concerned, that shouldn't be a surprise at all."
On the collaboration:
Owen King: Talking about a game at home with the family. "What we all like to do is pitch ideas. In this case, I thought of the worst things that would happen and thought of my dad. This one I brought to him."
SK: "I thought it was too good not to do it. I would've felt like a thief if I'd taken it." So they decided to collaborate. "I got a chance to work with my son on a book. To have any kid want to collaborate with you on a long form of art is just a gift."
On the writing:
SK: In trying to weave one narrative so that it would be one story and not recognizable as Owen's part or his part: "Owen said we'd put brackets in the center and fill it in, and it'd be the most rotten place. That way it felt like weaving. That was kind of fun."
OK : "We also rewrote each other." When asked what he would say to his father if a part sucked, he said. "You just tell him. That never happened. A couple times I'd say I'm not crazy about the idea..." Or he said his father would say he didn't like something he did: "We'd find another way to agree, to make it work."
On movies: Their favorites?
SK: "The Babadook."
OK: "IT and I'm not just saying that."
On Stanley Kubrick's version of The Shining (1980, with Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall):SK: "It's like a beautiful shiny Cadillac that didn't have an engine in it. When I started the book, you bend a black piece of metal and see if it will break. I saw (Jack) Torrance as a tragedy and the hotel worked on him.
"... I said, Jack Nicholson was crazy... he had nowhere to go. Even then I thought Shelley Duvall was a scream machine. If I do it again as a TV series, I'd give it room to breathe."
Funniest comment:
OK: On his father's choice about signing the books in blue ink instead: "He said, 'I'm not signing with that. Black is death.' I said, he's such a f**** weirdo. He has so many superstitions." To which the father agreed, "Yes, I have a fair number of superstitions." And speaking of signed copies - they had 400 books at the event that had been pre-signed. Then the event organizers said they mixed the books so they'd be distributed randomly. I really didn't expect to get a signed copy.
So this BIG surprise when I got home and opened it: Cool or what???
Funny thing: I was in a line that the person distributing them had to grab more books, so I took the second book on the stack from the next person. How fortunate was that??
Don't forget to come back to the blog tomorrow for part two on Stephen and Owen King, and their thoughts on writing.
(http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com)
September 30, 2017
So Excited! Going to see King!
A first! I'm going to go hear Stephen King and his son, Owen, tonight at the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee!
The event is part of their tour for their new jointly written and recently released book, Sleeping Beauties . (Just released and it's #1 in several categories and #16 overall on Amazon.)
Sounds interesting and strange. The premise: what would happen if women disappeared?
We'll see... I really want to hear the two of them, and here's hoping I get one of the signed copies! I'll be sharing more on the blog, so be sure to check back!
About the book:
In a future so real and near it might be now, something happens when women go to sleep: they become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If they are awakened, if the gauze wrapping their bodies is disturbed or violated, the women become feral and spectacularly violent. And while they sleep they go to another place, a better place, where harmony prevails and conflict is rare.
One woman, the mysterious “Eve Black,” is immune to the blessing or curse of the sleeping disease. Is Eve a medical anomaly to be studied? Or is she a demon who must be slain? Abandoned, left to their increasingly primal urges, the men divide into warring factions, some wanting to kill Eve, some to save her. Others exploit the chaos to wreak their own vengeance on new enemies. All turn to violence in a suddenly all-male world. - From Amazon
The event is part of their tour for their new jointly written and recently released book, Sleeping Beauties . (Just released and it's #1 in several categories and #16 overall on Amazon.)
Sounds interesting and strange. The premise: what would happen if women disappeared?
We'll see... I really want to hear the two of them, and here's hoping I get one of the signed copies! I'll be sharing more on the blog, so be sure to check back!
About the book:
In a future so real and near it might be now, something happens when women go to sleep: they become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If they are awakened, if the gauze wrapping their bodies is disturbed or violated, the women become feral and spectacularly violent. And while they sleep they go to another place, a better place, where harmony prevails and conflict is rare.
One woman, the mysterious “Eve Black,” is immune to the blessing or curse of the sleeping disease. Is Eve a medical anomaly to be studied? Or is she a demon who must be slain? Abandoned, left to their increasingly primal urges, the men divide into warring factions, some wanting to kill Eve, some to save her. Others exploit the chaos to wreak their own vengeance on new enemies. All turn to violence in a suddenly all-male world. - From Amazon
September 25, 2017
The Radio Show Up on Podcast Garden
Tonight - Interview Thursday, 7 p.m. central with Yvonne Mason on Off the Chain on Blogspot Radio! - Listen to the show @ The Podcast Garden
Talking Lizzie Borden and more.
This show has over 60K listeners!
September 21, 2017
#Horror #Zombie Radio tonight!
Tonight - Interview Thursday, 7 p.m. central with Yvonne Mason on Off the Chain on Blogspot Radio!
I'll be talking Lizzie Borden, zombies, I guess, everything!
Call in to speak with the host
(516) 387-1756
September 18, 2017
Writing #Horror Updates!
Yeah, writing sometimes is a horror. haa!
Just a quick update as to what I've been working on:
Short stories:
I have a cool story called "Thirteen Horses" coming out soon in the Descent Into Darkness anthology... It's a twist on people getting just what they deserve. Funny, as this story has been through a few rewrites. I seem to need several changes until I get it where it should be, but I like how it turned out... I'll have more details soon.
(Photo: pixabay.com)
* I've been working on a strange, creepy, horror news-fiction story. Hoping to send it to an anthology. The theme: worms. Yeah, yuck. Hope they take it. Stay tuned...
(Photo: pixabay.com)
* If you haven't gotten it, I have a free Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter short story - The View From #7 French Street. Sign up and get it on Instafreebie.
Book:
* The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River -
I had to update the print version slightly. A few missed punctuation marks and accents. No matter how hard you try something gets past you.... This is a nice little spooky story that won't take you long to read... Some reviews will be coming soon... stay tuned.
Halloween fun!
* October Frights is Coming!! The annual fun blog hop with a bunch of us posting stories, excerpts, prizes and more - coming soon! You can join the Facebook page for updates, too.
More news and stuff is coming. So is Halloween, get ready!!
Just a quick update as to what I've been working on:
Short stories:
I have a cool story called "Thirteen Horses" coming out soon in the Descent Into Darkness anthology... It's a twist on people getting just what they deserve. Funny, as this story has been through a few rewrites. I seem to need several changes until I get it where it should be, but I like how it turned out... I'll have more details soon.
(Photo: pixabay.com)
* I've been working on a strange, creepy, horror news-fiction story. Hoping to send it to an anthology. The theme: worms. Yeah, yuck. Hope they take it. Stay tuned...
(Photo: pixabay.com)
* If you haven't gotten it, I have a free Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter short story - The View From #7 French Street. Sign up and get it on Instafreebie.
Book: * The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River -
I had to update the print version slightly. A few missed punctuation marks and accents. No matter how hard you try something gets past you.... This is a nice little spooky story that won't take you long to read... Some reviews will be coming soon... stay tuned.
Halloween fun!
* October Frights is Coming!! The annual fun blog hop with a bunch of us posting stories, excerpts, prizes and more - coming soon! You can join the Facebook page for updates, too.
More news and stuff is coming. So is Halloween, get ready!!
September 15, 2017
Happy Release Day! New #Horror #Mystery
HAPPY RELEASE DAY to fellow authors Robert Walker and Jean Rabe!
Two books I definitely am putting on my to-read list!
The Dead of Night, Piper Blackwell Mystery Series Book 2, Jean Rabe -- and check out her other post on Faith Hunter's blog. (Hmm, talking about a ghostly Ben Franklin idea - or not?)
In Spencer County’s history, mysteries are numerous—and lethal…
As Sheriff Piper Blackwell rushes to a clandestine meeting with an aging, paranoid veteran who believes spies are trailing his every move, she is caught in a fierce thunderstorm. Pounding rain drums against the bluff, washing away the earth and revealing a grisly secret someone tried to bury a long time ago.
Putting a name to the skeleton on the bluff, and searching for the thief who robbed the old veteran of his life’s earnings, sends Piper delving into the sleepy towns that dot her rural county. Now she’s digging into pasts perhaps best left alone.
Goatbusters - Book 3, Chicaghosts series, Robert W. Walker
Horror and humor meet in this fun novella series set in old Chicago.
An infamous freak show exhibit closed down with the Riverview Amusement Park years ago. But a ravenous creature escaped into the Chicago River, and it’s very hungry…
When a river monster begins to attack dirt bikers and kayakers, the Old Fart Squad of retirees is called back into service, led by the classy Detective Aubrey Hamilton. At first, Aubrey and her team suspect a hoax or fraternity joke—until bodies turn up along the old Riverview Park stretch of the meandering Chicago River.
Something supernatural has been living in the river, feeding on small game, dogs, cats, and the occasional drunk. Now the squad must double as GOATBUSTERS to capture a creature that must be baited first. If only they can find the right bait…
Two books I definitely am putting on my to-read list!
The Dead of Night, Piper Blackwell Mystery Series Book 2, Jean Rabe -- and check out her other post on Faith Hunter's blog. (Hmm, talking about a ghostly Ben Franklin idea - or not?)
In Spencer County’s history, mysteries are numerous—and lethal…
As Sheriff Piper Blackwell rushes to a clandestine meeting with an aging, paranoid veteran who believes spies are trailing his every move, she is caught in a fierce thunderstorm. Pounding rain drums against the bluff, washing away the earth and revealing a grisly secret someone tried to bury a long time ago.
Putting a name to the skeleton on the bluff, and searching for the thief who robbed the old veteran of his life’s earnings, sends Piper delving into the sleepy towns that dot her rural county. Now she’s digging into pasts perhaps best left alone.
Goatbusters - Book 3, Chicaghosts series, Robert W. Walker
Horror and humor meet in this fun novella series set in old Chicago.
An infamous freak show exhibit closed down with the Riverview Amusement Park years ago. But a ravenous creature escaped into the Chicago River, and it’s very hungry…
When a river monster begins to attack dirt bikers and kayakers, the Old Fart Squad of retirees is called back into service, led by the classy Detective Aubrey Hamilton. At first, Aubrey and her team suspect a hoax or fraternity joke—until bodies turn up along the old Riverview Park stretch of the meandering Chicago River.
Something supernatural has been living in the river, feeding on small game, dogs, cats, and the occasional drunk. Now the squad must double as GOATBUSTERS to capture a creature that must be baited first. If only they can find the right bait…
September 13, 2017
#Ghost #Zombie Book Reviews - #1LineWed
I realized that I had put up short reviews on the book sites but wanted to share some more thoughts on a couple recent reads. You'll enjoy these!
And since it's also 1 Line Wednesday, I included a line from each...
Haunted (The Arnaud Legacy),
- Lynn Carthage (Erika Mailman)
About Haunted :
Moving to my stepfather's English country mansion sounded so promising. But the Arnaud Manor is neglected and unwelcoming, and I get the feeling it isn't exactly uninhabited. Something wants to hurt us--especially my little sister, Tabby. Okay, so I might be a little sensitive lately. My parents act oblivious to me, my old life is far away in San Francisco, and the gorgeous guy I just met tells me terrible stories about the infamous Madame Arnaud who lived here long ago, and about missing children and vengeful spirits. The kind of stories that are impossible to believe--until you're living in one of them, fighting to protect everyone you love... - From Amazon
Review:
Who doesn't love a good haunted house story? The book may be aimed at young adults, but I loved the creepy atmosphere and especially the secret ghosts inhabiting the house. I admit I must be slow as it took me awhile to realize the main character's true situation, which was nicely written so as to keep you guessing. I still enjoyed seeing her story unfold.
The best parts, though, were the creepy Madame Bathory-styled ghost haunting the mansion. I wanted to read more about her and her creepy intentions. Great start to the series and I can't wait to read the next book. The saga continues with Betrayed and the latest, Avenged .
1 Line: I kept imagining hearing the swish of those giant bee wings, or maybe more like the sound of skirts, the way a small train would drag along the floor.
Zombie-in-Chief: Eater of the Free World: A Novel Take on a Brain-Dead Election
, Scott Kenemore -
About Zombie-in-Chief:
When a tycoon and reality TV star improbably wins his party's nomination for the presidency, pundits and analysts are as baffled as they are certain that he will never win the general election. What can a man who already lives at the top of a golden skyscraper with a supermodel wife still want?
Absent entirely from their prognostications is the possibility that it could be to gorge upon the brains of the living! That he dreams of building a border wall to better keep delicious humans in! That he seeks to make American great again. . . for zombies! - From Amazon
Review:
Two words: Bloody brilliant. I've read Kenemore's earlier books, Zombie: Illinois , which I loved since I'm from Chicago and Zombie: Ohio . But this... this tops them all.
If you're into politics or even if you're not, you'll see the parallels between real life and fiction with characters like The Reporter, The Fake Newsman and The Governor. The main character, The Tycoon is rich, powerful, has a model wife, he's running for president, you know the real story - oh, and btw, he's really a zombie and the news is out to expose him.
This is so wonderfully and realistically written as zombie satire that you almost think you're reading about real life, except for the horror elements, of course. If you're open-minded and like zombies, you'll love this.
There are some funny parallels and explanations that relate to real life. And it also has a few surprising twists, which I can't share so as not to give them away. I wasn't as keen on the ending though it made sense, but the overall story arc kept me hooked, reading and chuckling.
1 Line: (But most of all, let no one suspect that his makeup concealed the corpse-pale sheen of the unliving.)
And since it's also 1 Line Wednesday, I included a line from each...
Haunted (The Arnaud Legacy),
- Lynn Carthage (Erika Mailman)About Haunted :
Moving to my stepfather's English country mansion sounded so promising. But the Arnaud Manor is neglected and unwelcoming, and I get the feeling it isn't exactly uninhabited. Something wants to hurt us--especially my little sister, Tabby. Okay, so I might be a little sensitive lately. My parents act oblivious to me, my old life is far away in San Francisco, and the gorgeous guy I just met tells me terrible stories about the infamous Madame Arnaud who lived here long ago, and about missing children and vengeful spirits. The kind of stories that are impossible to believe--until you're living in one of them, fighting to protect everyone you love... - From Amazon
Review:
Who doesn't love a good haunted house story? The book may be aimed at young adults, but I loved the creepy atmosphere and especially the secret ghosts inhabiting the house. I admit I must be slow as it took me awhile to realize the main character's true situation, which was nicely written so as to keep you guessing. I still enjoyed seeing her story unfold.
The best parts, though, were the creepy Madame Bathory-styled ghost haunting the mansion. I wanted to read more about her and her creepy intentions. Great start to the series and I can't wait to read the next book. The saga continues with Betrayed and the latest, Avenged .
1 Line: I kept imagining hearing the swish of those giant bee wings, or maybe more like the sound of skirts, the way a small train would drag along the floor.
Zombie-in-Chief: Eater of the Free World: A Novel Take on a Brain-Dead Election
, Scott Kenemore -About Zombie-in-Chief:
When a tycoon and reality TV star improbably wins his party's nomination for the presidency, pundits and analysts are as baffled as they are certain that he will never win the general election. What can a man who already lives at the top of a golden skyscraper with a supermodel wife still want?
Absent entirely from their prognostications is the possibility that it could be to gorge upon the brains of the living! That he dreams of building a border wall to better keep delicious humans in! That he seeks to make American great again. . . for zombies! - From Amazon
Review:
Two words: Bloody brilliant. I've read Kenemore's earlier books, Zombie: Illinois , which I loved since I'm from Chicago and Zombie: Ohio . But this... this tops them all.
If you're into politics or even if you're not, you'll see the parallels between real life and fiction with characters like The Reporter, The Fake Newsman and The Governor. The main character, The Tycoon is rich, powerful, has a model wife, he's running for president, you know the real story - oh, and btw, he's really a zombie and the news is out to expose him.
This is so wonderfully and realistically written as zombie satire that you almost think you're reading about real life, except for the horror elements, of course. If you're open-minded and like zombies, you'll love this.
There are some funny parallels and explanations that relate to real life. And it also has a few surprising twists, which I can't share so as not to give them away. I wasn't as keen on the ending though it made sense, but the overall story arc kept me hooked, reading and chuckling.
1 Line: (But most of all, let no one suspect that his makeup concealed the corpse-pale sheen of the unliving.)
September 12, 2017
Top 25 #Zombie Blogs!
We're honored to be named on the Top 25 Zombie Blog List at Feedspot.com
We're in some good company (we're #12) , so check it out! I guess the list changes but we're on there!
September 11, 2017
Haunting of Dr. Bowen, #Mystery Giveaway!
I almost forgot to post this!
I'm giving away a print copy of The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River...
Find the Goodreads Giveaway here... and if you win, please put a review on Amazon and GR! US entries only. Ends 9/21.
About The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River...
Was Lizzie Borden's doctor haunted by what he saw that day?
Gruesome deaths haunt the industrial city of Fall River, Massachusetts.
Dr. Seabury Bowen—physician to the infamous Lizzie Borden—swears he’s being stalked by spirits, though his beloved wife thinks it’s merely his imagination. But the retired doctor insists that neither greed nor anger provoked the recent sensational axe murders in Fall River. Rather, he believes the city is poisoned by bad blood and a thirst for revenge dating back to the Indian and Colonial wars.
Now, two years after the Borden murders, Dr. Bowen is determined to uncover the mysteries stirring up the city’s ancient, bloodthirsty specters. Can he discover who, or what, is shattering the peace before Fall River runs red? Or will he be the next victim?
I'm giving away a print copy of The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River...
Find the Goodreads Giveaway here... and if you win, please put a review on Amazon and GR! US entries only. Ends 9/21.
About The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River...
Was Lizzie Borden's doctor haunted by what he saw that day?
Gruesome deaths haunt the industrial city of Fall River, Massachusetts.
Dr. Seabury Bowen—physician to the infamous Lizzie Borden—swears he’s being stalked by spirits, though his beloved wife thinks it’s merely his imagination. But the retired doctor insists that neither greed nor anger provoked the recent sensational axe murders in Fall River. Rather, he believes the city is poisoned by bad blood and a thirst for revenge dating back to the Indian and Colonial wars.
Now, two years after the Borden murders, Dr. Bowen is determined to uncover the mysteries stirring up the city’s ancient, bloodthirsty specters. Can he discover who, or what, is shattering the peace before Fall River runs red? Or will he be the next victim?
September 6, 2017
Guest #Horror #Thriller Author: Robert Walker Shares About His Writing
Today I welcome the horrific and prolific author Robert W. Walker. He just hit the milestone of 75 books published - and he has the distinction of having not one but three new offerings out at the same time!
Some unique offerings: Beware - if you love (or loathe) creepy crawlies, then Walker's latest Bloodscreams series offering is for you. Then he returns to his medical thriller roots with something under the hat... and if you enjoy old Chicago history with a splash of the supernatural - and yes, humor! - you'll love his Chicaghosts novella series. Something for everyone! ** Keep reading - and comment - for the contest at the end! **
Satanipedes, (Abe Stroud Archeology vs. Supernatural Thriller, Bloodscreams #8):
Just when Archeologist and Vampire Slayer, Dr. Abraham Stroud thinks he can take it easy, take a second seat on a dig in West Texas, he is wrong from the outset. Plagued by warnings he does not at first recognize, Abe soon finds himself in the thick of an attack on humankind by a pod of prehistoric, giant centipedes that have cultivated a taste beyond livestock to a taste for humans.
Under the Dead Man's Hat - A Dr. Jude Avery Thriller
(Killing Time Book 1): Chicago and Cook County, Illinois medical examiners Dr. Jude Avery and Dr. Sybil Shanley team up to go after the most wanted, savage killers in the city. A team of two violent men known as the Veteran killers graduate to become the Nun killers. The murderers’ intent appears on the surface to be to ‘shock and awe’ the public - and perhaps move on to the most depraved murders yet. Now as the doctors get closer still to the truth, they must rely more on one another and their weapons, both those on their hips and those in the laboratory.
Goatbusters (Chicaghosts Book 3)
- Preorder, releases Sept. 15. Third in the horror-humor Chicaghosts novella series):
An infamous freak show exhibit closed down with the Riverview Amusement Park years ago. But a ravenous creature escaped into the Chicago River, and it’s very hungry…
When a river monster begins to attack dirt bikers and kayakers, the Old Fart Squad of retirees is called back into service, led by the classy Detective Aubrey Hamilton. At first, Aubrey and her team suspect a hoax or fraternity joke—until bodies turn up along the old Riverview Park stretch of the meandering Chicago River.
I invited Walker, who also grew up in Chicago, to come on the blog and share a bit about his books and his writing process.
He is the ultimate indie writer, writing for small presses and self-publishing.
So, Rob, do tell us: why did you choose so many ways to publish?
"This has been a whirlwind year for me as a writer in terms of just getting writing DONE. I am a prolific and fast writer, which is one large reason I turned from doing work with New York publishers. They could not keep up with my output, and when the Kindle ebook possibility to become an Independent author, a self-publishing author without the old-world stigma attached, well, I Ieapt at the chance. The NYC publishers set your book on a schedule, which often means it does not see publication after you complete it for another year or year and a half. I do multiple books in one year. So what was I to do?Naturally, when I got control of every aspect of the writing, I published my books when they were complete—next day with Amazon KDP or Kindle Direct Publishing, which is a breeze."Now share: We have this vision of you constantly typing on the computer. Do you ever sleep? ha!The reason why I am seeing Under the Dead Man’s Hat along with Satanipedes and a third title, Goatbusters all coming out now atop one another is simple. Goatbusters was done as book #3 in my Chicaghosts series with Imajin Books Quickie titles (a novella series set to release Sept. 15 and taking pre-orders now ), while the first Killing Time series title – Under the Dead Man’s Hat was published August 8th as a trade paperback and ebook from Prospective Press. In the case of the Imajin and Prospective titles, the schedule thing came back into play as I was dealing with publishers responsible for other titles than my own. Both titles were completed the year before (when in Goatbusters my characters predicted the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series – HA!)"While awaiting these two titles to come to publication, I worked on two new titles in my horror series – Bloodscreams. This year I completed SKITTERS and SATANIPEDES, Abe Stroud vampire slayer and archeologist titles. Satanipedes was published just this week, but the work put into it has been ongoing while awaiting publication of the other two titles. But if you blink, you’d think I crafted and put out three books in the space of a month!"What makes these titles unique?Goatbusters is a cross-over genre between humor and horror – humorror, you might say. It is set in Chicago with a theme involving the great old Riverview Roller-Coaster Park and what crawled into the Chicago River until the Old Fart Squad and Suedini are called in to investigate.Under the Dead Man’s Hat is my return to forensics and the serial killer chase and smack down novel like my 15 Instinct novels begun with KILLER INSTINCT – FREE giveaway for a limited time. When a corpse comes in with a hat, it’s amazing what is discovered under that thing, which is a twisting and twisted tale of suspense.SATANIPEDES is #8 in the Bloodscreams Series, featuring Dr. Abe Stroud, archeologist who tends to dig too deep and always comes up with the supernatural. With Abe, there comes monsters of every size and stripe. The sequel to Skitters, this novel pays off.I hope the readers agree! I'd say the premises, and the covers promise some spine-tingling reads! Thanks for stopping by the blog!** CONTEST: Comment on what scares you or share your worst nightmare to be one of 3 winners to win a gift digital copy of Satanipedes. Be sure to include a way to contact you.
Some unique offerings: Beware - if you love (or loathe) creepy crawlies, then Walker's latest Bloodscreams series offering is for you. Then he returns to his medical thriller roots with something under the hat... and if you enjoy old Chicago history with a splash of the supernatural - and yes, humor! - you'll love his Chicaghosts novella series. Something for everyone! ** Keep reading - and comment - for the contest at the end! **
Satanipedes, (Abe Stroud Archeology vs. Supernatural Thriller, Bloodscreams #8):
Just when Archeologist and Vampire Slayer, Dr. Abraham Stroud thinks he can take it easy, take a second seat on a dig in West Texas, he is wrong from the outset. Plagued by warnings he does not at first recognize, Abe soon finds himself in the thick of an attack on humankind by a pod of prehistoric, giant centipedes that have cultivated a taste beyond livestock to a taste for humans. 
Under the Dead Man's Hat - A Dr. Jude Avery Thriller
(Killing Time Book 1): Chicago and Cook County, Illinois medical examiners Dr. Jude Avery and Dr. Sybil Shanley team up to go after the most wanted, savage killers in the city. A team of two violent men known as the Veteran killers graduate to become the Nun killers. The murderers’ intent appears on the surface to be to ‘shock and awe’ the public - and perhaps move on to the most depraved murders yet. Now as the doctors get closer still to the truth, they must rely more on one another and their weapons, both those on their hips and those in the laboratory. 
Goatbusters (Chicaghosts Book 3)
- Preorder, releases Sept. 15. Third in the horror-humor Chicaghosts novella series):
An infamous freak show exhibit closed down with the Riverview Amusement Park years ago. But a ravenous creature escaped into the Chicago River, and it’s very hungry…
When a river monster begins to attack dirt bikers and kayakers, the Old Fart Squad of retirees is called back into service, led by the classy Detective Aubrey Hamilton. At first, Aubrey and her team suspect a hoax or fraternity joke—until bodies turn up along the old Riverview Park stretch of the meandering Chicago River.
I invited Walker, who also grew up in Chicago, to come on the blog and share a bit about his books and his writing process.
He is the ultimate indie writer, writing for small presses and self-publishing.
So, Rob, do tell us: why did you choose so many ways to publish?
"This has been a whirlwind year for me as a writer in terms of just getting writing DONE. I am a prolific and fast writer, which is one large reason I turned from doing work with New York publishers. They could not keep up with my output, and when the Kindle ebook possibility to become an Independent author, a self-publishing author without the old-world stigma attached, well, I Ieapt at the chance. The NYC publishers set your book on a schedule, which often means it does not see publication after you complete it for another year or year and a half. I do multiple books in one year. So what was I to do?Naturally, when I got control of every aspect of the writing, I published my books when they were complete—next day with Amazon KDP or Kindle Direct Publishing, which is a breeze."Now share: We have this vision of you constantly typing on the computer. Do you ever sleep? ha!The reason why I am seeing Under the Dead Man’s Hat along with Satanipedes and a third title, Goatbusters all coming out now atop one another is simple. Goatbusters was done as book #3 in my Chicaghosts series with Imajin Books Quickie titles (a novella series set to release Sept. 15 and taking pre-orders now ), while the first Killing Time series title – Under the Dead Man’s Hat was published August 8th as a trade paperback and ebook from Prospective Press. In the case of the Imajin and Prospective titles, the schedule thing came back into play as I was dealing with publishers responsible for other titles than my own. Both titles were completed the year before (when in Goatbusters my characters predicted the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series – HA!)"While awaiting these two titles to come to publication, I worked on two new titles in my horror series – Bloodscreams. This year I completed SKITTERS and SATANIPEDES, Abe Stroud vampire slayer and archeologist titles. Satanipedes was published just this week, but the work put into it has been ongoing while awaiting publication of the other two titles. But if you blink, you’d think I crafted and put out three books in the space of a month!"What makes these titles unique?Goatbusters is a cross-over genre between humor and horror – humorror, you might say. It is set in Chicago with a theme involving the great old Riverview Roller-Coaster Park and what crawled into the Chicago River until the Old Fart Squad and Suedini are called in to investigate.Under the Dead Man’s Hat is my return to forensics and the serial killer chase and smack down novel like my 15 Instinct novels begun with KILLER INSTINCT – FREE giveaway for a limited time. When a corpse comes in with a hat, it’s amazing what is discovered under that thing, which is a twisting and twisted tale of suspense.SATANIPEDES is #8 in the Bloodscreams Series, featuring Dr. Abe Stroud, archeologist who tends to dig too deep and always comes up with the supernatural. With Abe, there comes monsters of every size and stripe. The sequel to Skitters, this novel pays off.I hope the readers agree! I'd say the premises, and the covers promise some spine-tingling reads! Thanks for stopping by the blog!** CONTEST: Comment on what scares you or share your worst nightmare to be one of 3 winners to win a gift digital copy of Satanipedes. Be sure to include a way to contact you.
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